The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority uses a tool called the Fire Weather Index System published by Alberta Environment Sustainable Resource Development to measure and forecast fire hazard conditions in the M.D. It is based on weather data and takes into account everything from temperature and wind conditions to relative humidity and moisture levels in the ground and fine fuels such as grass.

A fire ban can restrict any of these regulated activities:• Open burning ("open burning" refers to controlled burns subject to conditions set in a Fire Permit) in non-residential areas. • Fireworks • Firepits and cooking stoves in parks • Backyard firepits• Burn barrelsIn most cases, a fire ban will only restrict open burning and fireworks. If conditions require, a ban may also restrict the use of firepits and cooking stoves in parks. Backyard firepits will only be banned when the fire hazard is extreme throughout the M.D.

You can use a propane or natural gas BBQ or stove during a fire ban. Propane or natural gas BBQs or stoves are permitted because they are metal, contained and don't generate smoke or embers. Propane or natural gas BBQs are also permitted in parks during fire bans.

The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority wants to work with residents and visitors to keep the M.D. safe. During a fire ban, officials will emphasize compliance over enforcement, but anyone who breaks a fire ban may be subject to fines or charges if their fire causes a safety issue. This may also include covering the full costs for firefighting which can be several thousand dollars or reach into the millions of dollars if a forest fire results from burning during a fire ban.

You need a permit for a burn barrel or to purchase, possess, store and use fireworks within the Municipal District of Bonnyville and to do any kind of open burning. Call 780-826-4755 to find out how to obtain a permit. Remember, no permits are required for backyard firepits that meet the Municipal District of Bonnyville Bylaw, cooking stoves, fire places or BBQs.

Not necessarily. For tax purposes the Municipal Government Act (s. 297(4)(b)) says that a property that receives a non-residential tax rate is"…other property on which industry, commerce or another use takes place, or is permitted to take place under a land use bylaw passed by council…". The zoning is a major influence on property that is zoned for commercial or industrial purposes but is not currently being used. If you have more questions on this please feel free to contact our assessment team at 780-826-3171.

The last day to pay off your current year's property taxes without penalties is September 15. Any current year's taxes that is outstanding after September 15 is subject to a 12% penalty on September 16.

This penalty date and amount is set by a Council Bylaw. Municipal administration does not have any authority to “waive” penalties. Although the council does have the authority to cancel penalties, the council has historically upheld the penalties defined in the bylaw.

The provincial government, which allows municipalities to establish this tax rate, allow only for a count of full time employees. This means if a business has 15 full-time employees and 60 seasonal employees, the seasonal employees would not be part of the count. This business would be defined as "less than 50 full-time employees" and would qualify to be included in the new sub-class.

Not necessarily. For tax purposes the Municipal Government Act (s. 297(4)(b)) says that a property that receives a non-residential tax rate is"…other property on which industry, commerce or another use takes place, or is permitted to take place under a land use bylaw passed by council…". The zoning is a major influence on property that is zoned for commercial or industrial purposes but is not currently being used. If you have more questions on this please feel free to contact our assessment team at 780-826-3171.

Please look at your Assessment and Tax Notice from 2017. If your property is paying a municipal farm tax, then your property is paying a lower tax rate than if it was assessed and taxed as a non-residential property. Therefore, you will not need to fill out the declaration form.

Please look at your Assessment and Tax Notice from 2017. If you see that there is a "Municipal - Non-Res" property tax levy (found in the left middle of your Assessment and Tax Notice), then you may qualify for the Small Business tax rate. Some businesses are very small, and they may not meet the qualifications to have a non-residential tax rate. If the property has been taxed as a non-residential, then you may qualify for the small business tax rate.

Please look at your Assessment and Tax Notice from 2017. If you see that there is a "Municipal - Non-Res" property tax levy (found in the left middle of your Assessment and Tax Notice), then you may qualify for the Small Business tax rate. Some businesses are very small, and they may not meet the qualifications to have a non-residential tax rate. If the property has been taxed as a non-residential, then you may qualify for the small business tax rate.

Please look at your Assessment and Tax Notice from 2017. If you see that there is a "Municipal - Non-Res" property tax levy (found in the left middle of your Assessment and Tax Notice), then you may qualify for the Small Business tax rate. Some businesses are very small, and they may not meet the qualifications to have a non-residential tax rate. If the property has been taxed as a non-residential, then you may qualify for the small business tax rate.

If you had a "Municipal - Non Residential" tax rate on your 2017 Assessment and Tax Notice, and you met the requirements of the Small Business tax rate, you would be taxed at a lower rate that the Municipal - Non-Residential properties in the Municipality. What would be the effect on the tax bill? That is a little more complex to answer. Your Property Tax Bill is broken up into different taxes. There is a Municipal Tax section, a School Tax section, and an Other Tax section on your notice. Council only has control over the Municipal section. In November 2017, Council established an interim budget and their decision was to keep the same tax mill rates in 2018 as they were in 2017. If your assessment values remain the same as last year, and the municipal tax rates stay the same, you would see a lower municipal tax levy for the part of the property that qualifies under the Small Business sub-class. We cannot predict the overall effect on your tax bill, as the School Tax and Other Tax sections of your bill are established by those requisitioning bodies.